Ice release method and means



June 26, 1951 R STORER 2,558,015

ICE RELEASE METHOD AND MEANS Filed Aug. 12, 1946 INVENTOR. Pic/aura M Sforer ATTORNEY Patented June 26, 1951 UNITED STATES RATENT OFFICE Application August 12, 1946, Serial No. 689,886

13 Claims.

This invention relates to a method of producing ice blocks and to devices employed in producing such blocks.

Many types of mechanical grids for ice trays have been devised, most of which involve a movement of cross walls or a lengthwise wall. While such devices provide sufficient movement for effective release of ice blocks so long as the walls are smooth, whenever the surface of the wall is not very smooth, the ice in freezing will form a tenacious bond which fails to break under the normal movement of the grid.

It has been customary to apply waxes and similar polished finishes to the walls of such grids to prevent ice adherence. While such finishes are quite effective immediately after application, they wear away through repeated usage. Also, washing the grid with hot water as frequently happens, cuts the wax finish. As soon as the effect of the wax coating is lost, the ice tends to adhere to the walls, and hence is effective only for short intervals of use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and efficient method of releasing ice blocks from a tray and grid in which they are formed by subjecting said grid to torsional movement and percussion influences.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simple, durable and efficient grid assembly which is adapted for repeated operation without impairing its ice-releasing efficiency.

A further object of the invention is to provide a grid for freezing trays that is particularly adapted for forming from molded plastic compositions.

Other objects reside in novel details of construction and novel combinations and arrangements of parts, all of which will be fully described in the course of the following description.

Briefly stated, the present invention resides in the discovery that a grid of relatively stiff material, but possessing sufiicient resilience, can be subjected to torsional movement, while in adhering relation to ice blocks within a pan in which they are formed, to efiectively break the bond between the blocks and grid and between the blocks. and pan. Also, it has been found that a similar release can be effected by a percussion action directed against said grid, and best results will be attained by using a combination of percussion action and torsional movement.

The practice of the present invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, in the several views of which like parts have been designated similarly, and in which:

, lengthwise movement.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a grid embodying features of the present invention installed in a freezing container and illustrating the lever movement and grid fiexure by dotted line representation;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the tray and grid assembly taken along the line 2-2, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section taken along the line 33, Fig. 1;

Fig. 4; is a fragmentary end elevation of the grid shown in Fig. 1, with the dotted lines representing the extent of distortion resulting from lever operation;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section, drawn to an enlarged scale, and taken along the line 55, Fig. 1; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified type of grid embodying features of the invention with arrows indicating the direction of movement of component parts resulting from the lever actuation.

Referring first to the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a pan P of conventional type and preferably having at least one sloping end wall'8 and a rolled edge 9 at its top edge has a grid G fitted in its interior. Said grid comprises a lengthwise wall If] and a plurality of cross walls I2 formed as an integral assembly. Preferably, each of said walls is Wedge shaped or of tapered section as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. I prefer to make this grid structure out of a mixture of acrylate and methacrylate resins, such as the composition commonly known as Lucite, although other plastic compositions having similar properties may be used. As examples, I cite polystyrene, ethyl acetate, cellulose acetate, polyethylene and the like. I

A lug l3 partially embedded in an end cross wall of the grid is apertured for reception of the end of a rod M which is held thereby against independent rotation. The opposite end of said rod is fitted in a journal I5 attached to the op-v posite end cross wall 12 of the grid, and is free to rotate therein, but is held against relative A stub shaft [6 rigidly connected with rod It at its journalled end serves as the pivotal mounting for a lever 11, which is slotted at its pivotal end as shown at H3 in Fig. 5.

Movement of lever ll from the prone position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 to the upright dotted line position shown in Fig. 5 causes a cam l9 fitted in the groove or space 18 to bear against a wear plate or bar 20 mounted on the top surface of the end cross wall I2 nearest bearing l5. The

movement of cam it conjointly with lever I! is occasioned by a spring-urged catch 2| which bears against the cam throughout substantially 90 of rotation to provide the necessary lift.

The shape of cam l9 causes a rise of the free end of stub shaft it throughout slightly more than a 90 lever movement while its opposite end is held against movement other than arcuate by bearing and when the end surface 1902 comes into contact with plate 20, the point of greatest arcuate movement has been reached and continuing movement of lever ll causes the cam to rotate ahead. of the lever, with the result that the grid springs back to its normal position with a snap or jarring impact.

This percussion effect is transmitted throughout the entire grid G due to the rigid assembly of lengthwise wall ill and cross Walls l2 and the resilience of the material composing said 'walls. During this rotational movement of lever ll, a torsional movement is applied throughout grid G from its opposite ends, as the rotation of rod l4 tends to twist lug l3 anchored in one end wall 12 while the pressure of cam l9 against the opposite end wall l2 twists the associated end of the grid in a reverse direction to the twist applied at its opposite end.

With this understanding of the arrangement of parts comprising this form of the invention, a typical operation will be described. The grid G is mounted in pan P in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and the pan is filled with water, preferably to a level near the top wall of the pan. The unit is then inserted in a sharp freezing container and allowed to remain until ice is formed.

When the ice has formed, the pan is removed from the freezing container and placed on any suitable supporting surface. The lever ii is rotated while the operator holds the pan in contact all cross walls 12 tend to rotate, thus breaking the adherence of ice blocks to said walls and with the pan surfaces they contact.

After the 90 position is reached, the continued lever movement causes the cam 18 to advance from catch 2%, whereupon the cam snaps to the prone position producing a strong percussion effect on the top surface of plate '20 as previously described This percussion effect is transmitted throughout the length of the grid G, due to the resilience of the material comprising the grid.

The combined effect of the torsional movement as initiated and when released and the percussion action serves to release all the ice cubes or blocks from the pan and from the adjoining surfaces of the grid. If the initial lever move ment fails to release a given block, it is only necessary to return the'lever and repeat the movement through another to duplicate the action just described, as the catch will reengage 12y also are of uniform thickness. In either such grid, the torsional movement applied at the ends of the grid in the manner hereinbefore described produces an effect on the members of the grid of the type depicted by the arrows in Fig. 6. The displacement of cross members as a result of the twisting varies by increment from a greatest rotation in one direction at the cam end to a greatest rotation in the opposite direction at the fixed end of the rod [3. Fig. 4 shows the cross member position in end elevation to better illustrate the effect of the torsional movement by the dotted line representation, which is not intended to be exact, but rather suggests the direction of movement of component parts under the torsional eiiect.

The torsional movement imparted by the lever mechanism is imparted in reverse directions as indicated by the full line arrows in Fig. 6, and this movement causes an arcuate movement of the adjoining cross walls I211: and i2 1 about an axis in the lengthwise member that corresponds to the dotted line arrows. The cross wall movement against the resistance of the pan bottom breaks the bond between the blocks and said bottom, while the distortion of the lengthwise wall serves to break the bond between the blocks and the grid walls as will be best under stood by reference to Fig. 4.

After elfecting the release of the blocks in the manner just described, the grid may be lifted as a unit from the pan, leaving the blocks loose therein. Any number of such blocks may be removed, as required, or the entire number may be placed in a suitable receptacle so the pan may be refilled. Repeated usage of the grid.

serves to lessen the tendency of ice to bond to the walls of the grid, particularly when the wedge-shaped sections are utilized.

'While I prefer to employ plastic compositions in forming the grid of the present invention due to the smooth wall surfaces obtained in the molding action and also because the grid so formed, while relatively stiff or rigid, possesses suflicient resilience to permit the torsional movement repeatedly without structural failure, it will be understood that various metal compositions may be used. Preferably, such metal grids will employ the wedge shaped walls and will have their ice contacting surfaces polished or surface coated so as to break the bond with the formed ice readily upon application of the torsional movement. Throughout the foregoing description the terms percussion, percussion influence, percussion action and so forth have been used to describe an action in which the grid G is subjected to a striking force of sufficient magnitude to initiate the transmission of shock waves throughout the extent of the grid. Accordingly this terminology, wherever used, is intended to describe such a shock wave inducing action.

The forms of my invention illustrated in the drawings are intended only as typical examples of the practice of the invention, but not to limit same, the scope of which is defined in the here-. unto appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A grid for freezing trays, comprising an assembly of at least one lengthwise wall and a plurality of cross walls adapted to fit in a freezing container and composed of a material possessing sufficient resilience to permit limited torsional movement without distortion or breakage, and mechanism connected with said grid for applying torsional movement thereto throughout substantially the length of the assembly and including a rod extending lengthwise of the grid, means connecting said rod to an end cross wall of the grid, a journal for the opposite end of the rod supported from an end cross wall of the grid, a stub shaft extending laterally from said rod adjacent said journal, a lever pivotally mounted on said shaft and carrying a cam member at its pivotal end, said cam member being arranged to engage the rod-journalling cross wall during rotation of the lever, whereby to apply torsional movement to the opposite ends of said grid.

2. A grid for freezing trays, comprising an assembly of at least one lengthwise wall and a plurality of cross walls adapted to fit in a freezing container and composed of a stiff material having limited resilience, and mechanism carried by said grid including a lever and a grid striking member on one end of said lever, said striking member being arranged for actuation by movement of said lever in one direction soas to subject the grid to a striking force of sufficient magnitude to initiate the transmission of the resulting shock waves through the several walls of the grid.

3. A grid for freezing trays, comprising an assembly of at least one lengthwise wall and a plurality of cross walls adapted to fit in a freezing container and composed of a stiff material having limited resilience, and mechanism carried by said grid including a lever, a grid striking member at one end of said lever, and a substantially rigid member interconnected to opposite ends of said grid and to the other end of said lever, said lever, striking member, and rigid member being arranged for actuation by movement of said lever so as to subject the grid to a combined torsional movement and a striking force of sufficient magnitude to initiate the transmission of the resulting shock waves through the several walls of the grid.

4. The combination with a pan, of a grid fitted in said pan and comprising an integral assembly of a lengthwise wall and a plurality of cross Walls between which liquid is frozen, and leverage mechanism carried by said grid including a lever and a grid striking member on one end of said lever, said striking member being arranged for actuation by movement of said lever in one direction so as to subject the grid to a striking force of sufficient magnitude to initiate the transmission of the resulting shock waves through the several walls of the grid.

5. The combination with a pan, of a grid fitted in said pan and comprising an integral assembly of a lengthwise wall and a plurality of cross walls between which liquid is frozen, and a leverage mechanism carried by said grid including a lever, a grid striking member at one end of said lever, and a substantially rigid member interconnected to opposite ends of said grid and to the other end of said lever, said lever, striking member, and rigid member being arranged for actuation by movement of said lever so as to subject the grid to a combined torsional movement and a striking force of sufficient magnitude to initiate the transmission of the resulting hock Waves through the several Walls of the grid.

6. The combination with a pan, of a grid fitted in said pan and comprising an integral assembly of a lengthwise wall and a plurality of cross walls between which liquid is frozen, said walls being wedge-shaped, and leverage mechanism carried integral assembly of at least one lengthwise wall and a plurality of cross Walls adapted to fit in a freezing container and composed of molded polystyrene possessing sufficient resilience to permit limited torsional movement without Jpermanent distortion or breakage, and mechanism carried by said grid including a lever, a grid striking member and a substantially rigid member interconnected to opposite ends of said grid and to one end of said lever, said lever, striking member, and rigid member being arranged for actuation by movement of said lever so as. to subject the grid to a combined torsional move-'- ment of sufiicient magnitude to break the bond between the grid walls and the material frozen in the tray. 1

8. A grid for freezing trays, comprising an integral assembly of at least one lengthwise wall and a plurality of cross walls adapted to fit in a freezing container and composed of molded methyl and methacrylate resins possessing sufficient resilience to permit limited torsional movement without permanent distortion or breakage, and mechanism carried by said grid including a substantially rigid member interconnected to opposite ends of said grid, and means for applying torsional movement to said rigid member, said torsional movement being of sufficient magnitude to break the bonds between the said walls and the material frozen in the trays.

9. A grid for freezing trays, comprising an assembly of at least one lengthwise wall and a plurality of cross walls adapted to fit in a freezing container and composed of a material possessing sufficient resilience to permit limited torsional movement Without distortion or breakage, and mechanism connected with said grid for applying torsional movement thereto throughout substantially the length of the assembly and including a rod extending lengthwise of the grid, means connecting said rod to an end cross Wall of the grid at a first end of said lengthwise wall, a journal for the opposite end of the rod supported from the end cross wall of the grid at the opposite end of said lengthwise wall, and leverage mechanism, inclusive of a cam, associated with said rod and arranged to subject the said end cross walls at the opposite ends of said lengthwise wall to reverse torsional movements through the intermediary of said rod and cam.

10. A grid for freezing trays comprising an assembly of at least one lengthwise wall and a plurality of cross walls adapted to fit in a possessing sufiicient resilience to permit limited torsional movement without permanent distortion or breakage, a rigid member externally connected to one end of said lengthwise wall and mounted for pivotal movement on said wall at the opposite end thereof, and a leverage mechanism connected to the rigid member for applying torsional forces to said grid.

12. A grid for freezing trays substantially as described in claim 11, wherein said leverage mechanism is further adapted to induce percussional influences in said grid.

13. A grid for freezing trays, comprising an assembly of at least one lengthwise wall and a plurality of cross walls adapted to fit in a freezing container and composed of a material possessing suflicient resilience to permit limited torsional movement Without distortion or breakage, and mechanism connected with said grid for applying torsional movement thereto throughout substantially the length of the assembly and including a rod extending lengthwise of the grid, a journal for the opposite end of the rod supported from an end cross wall of the grid, a leverage mechanism associated with said rod, a cam on said leverage mechanism, and a re- 8 leasable catch engaging said cam through part of the travel of said leverage mechanism, said leverage mechanism, cam, and catch being arranged to subject the grid to torsional movement, when the leverage mechanism is raised, and a percussion action when said catch releases.

RICHARD M. STORER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,780,980 Newman Nov. 11, 1930 2,032,639 Storer Mar. 3, 1936 2,168,739 Miner Aug. 8, 1939 2,184,112 Blomquist 1 Dec. 19, 1939 2,215,324 Hallock Sept. 17, 1940 2,240,004 Morton Apr. 29, 1941 2,264,849 Kitto Dec. 2, 1941 2,337,450 Chilton Dec. 21, 1943 2,351,742 Buchanan June 20, 1944 2,360,286 Shuart. Oct. 10, 1944 2,415,446 Shoemaker Feb. 11,. 1947 

